Midwest
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The Midwest encompasses a vast swath of the United States from Ohio and Michigan in the east to Kansas and Nebraska in the west, from Minnesota and Wisconsin in the north to Missouri and Kansas in the south. The region contains the Great Lakes — five freshwater lakes containing 21% of the world's surface fresh water — and the great agricultural plains that make the US the world's largest food exporter. Chicago is the region's cultural capital and one of America's great world cities, but smaller Midwest cities like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and St. Louis each have distinctive characters, excellent food scenes, and warm Midwestern hospitality.
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Best things to do in Midwest
Chicago Architecture Boat Tour
The definitive Chicago experience — a 90-minute river cruise through the canyon of skyscrapers while expert guides explain the architectural history of America's greatest architectural city. Book the Chicago Architecture Foundation's tour.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
1 million acres of roadless wilderness in northern Minnesota, accessible only by canoe. Over 1,200 miles of canoe routes through pristine lakes and forests with excellent fishing, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. One of the most pristine wilderness experiences in the lower 48 states.
Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore
South Dakota's alien landscape of eroded clay buttes and pinnacles is one of the most visually striking in America. The adjacent Black Hills contain Mount Rushmore (the carved presidential faces), Crazy Horse Memorial (still in progress), and Wind Cave National Park.
Cities in Midwest
Explore destinations in this region
Best Time to Visit
Recommended Period
May to October — Midwest summers are warm and sunny, with excellent outdoor activities throughout the region. The Great Lakes 'third coast' has beautiful beaches in summer. Fall (September-October) brings spectacular foliage. Winters are harsh — very cold with heavy snow in the northern Midwest. However, Chicago's indoor cultural attractions (museums, theaters, restaurants) make it worth visiting year-round.
Food & Specialties
Midwestern food culture reflects the region's German, Polish, Scandinavian, and Southern migrant heritage alongside Chicago's world-class dining scene.
Chicago deep dish pizza — a thick-crusted cast iron-baked pizza with cheese on the bottom and chunky tomato sauce on top
Chicago-style hot dog — Vienna beef frank with seven specific toppings, never ketchup
Italian beef sandwich — thinly sliced beef au jus on a roll, a Chicago institution
Wisconsin cheese — the state produces more cheese than any other in the US; cheddar curds ('squeaky cheese') are a local snack
Bratwurst — the German-influenced grilled sausage, particularly in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin
Casseroles and hotdishes — the Midwestern church potluck tradition features tuna noodle casserole, green bean casserole, and Minnesota 'hotdish'
Getting There
How to reach Midwest
By Air
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is a major international hub; Chicago Midway (MDW) handles domestic budget flights. Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Detroit (DTW), Cleveland (CLE), and Indianapolis (IND) serve their regions.
By Train
Chicago is Amtrak's national hub — more trains originate here than anywhere else. Major routes include the Lake Shore Limited (Chicago to New York via Cleveland and Albany), the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle/Portland), the City of New Orleans (Chicago to New Orleans), and the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles).
By Bus
Greyhound provides extensive coverage of Midwest cities. Megabus and FlixBus connect major urban centers.
Getting Around
The Midwest is largely car country — the vast distances between cities and the dispersed nature of attractions make driving the most practical approach. Chicago is the exception — its CTA rail and bus network is excellent. Highway US-2 across the Upper Midwest and the river roads along the Mississippi are excellent scenic routes. The Great River Road (following the Mississippi from Minnesota to Louisiana) is one of America's great road trips.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Midwest
Budget
Hostel dorms in Chicago from $30-55/night. Budget motels throughout the region $60-100/night — much cheaper than the coasts.
Mid-Range
Mid-range hotels in Chicago $150-300/night. Regional cities $80-160/night. Lakeside resorts $150-300/night.
Luxury
Chicago luxury hotels $350-1,200+/night. Resort properties on the lake from $250-600/night.
Safety
The Midwest is generally safe with lower crime rates than coastal cities. Chicago has some high-crime neighborhoods (primarily on the South and West Sides) well removed from tourist areas. Tornado season (April-June) affects the central Midwest — monitor weather alerts. Winter driving can be extremely hazardous in heavy snowfall.
Travel Tips
Insider advice for Midwest
- 1Chicago is more affordable than New York or LA while offering comparable cultural depth — excellent value for a major urban trip.
- 2Lake Michigan's beaches in summer (particularly in Indiana Dunes and Michigan) are excellent — clean water and beautiful sand.
- 3The Great Lakes are actually inland seas — water temperatures can be cold even in summer, and wave action can be significant.
- 4Midwesterners are genuinely friendlier and less hurried than urban East/West Coast residents — the 'Midwest Nice' stereotype is largely accurate.
- 5Drive US-2 across the Upper Midwest (Minnesota to North Dakota) through small towns, grain elevators, and enormous sky for authentic American rural experience.